14.MUNNAR
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Munnar is situated in the Idukki district of Kerala State in south India. The word "Munnar" literally means three rivers. The 3 mountain streams namely Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala join together here. The area is surrounded by vast jungles and remains wet and cold during most of the year. The entire area of Munnar, nearly about 556.44 square kilometer of land really belonged, and still belongs to the royal family of Poonjar and was given on lease for 99 years by the then poonjar King Kerala Varma in 1887.During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants.Throughout the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The innate splendor, serenity and mild cold climate all over the year make it the much loved tourist place of both Indians and foreigners.
There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar, majority of which are owned by the Tata and Kannan Devan Group. The tea estates, mounts, lakes and woodlands inside Munnar range represent its exquisiteness. The tea plantations covering the Munnar hills give us the feeling of seeing a endless green carpet.
The locals here speak Malayalam and Tamil and English. The easy route to reach Munnar is from Ernakulam which is about 135km and about 4 hours drive.The Aluva-Munnar road extends through Perumbavoor, Adimali. and Kothamangalam. Bus services are available to Ernakulam (135km), Thekkady (100km), Thiruvananthapuram (300km), Palani (120km) and Coimbatore (150km) from Munnar.The tourist season is from August to May. |
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| Places Arround Munnar : |
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| Devikulam : |
| Devikulam, the lake town is situated 16 Kms from Munnar and it at the altitude of 1800 meter above sea level. Devikulam is an exotic experience among striking flora and fauna and chilly mountain breeze- A pleasant hill station . The Sita Devi Lake sited here is a perfect picnic spot with its pictorial surrounds, mineral water, and fishing conveniences.Nearby are the scenic Pallivasal Waterfalls, dense, green tea plantations, and the natural vegetation of slim red and blue gum trees. |
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| Mattupetty : |
| Situated at a height of 1700 m, 14 Kms from Munnar. Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here.Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm. |
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| Mattupetty Lake : |
| A nature lover''s paradise, Mattuppetty Lake is nestled on the hills of Idukki, one of the most nature rich districts of Kerala. The calm, tranquil waters of the Mattuppetty Lake offer solace to the weary souls. A boat cruise on the lake is the best way to experience the idyllic destination. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) at Idukki is providing speed boats, motor boats, pedal boats and row boat facilities at the lake. |
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| Rajamalai : |
| Rajamala sited 15 Km away from Munnar is 2695m above sea level. Rajamalai, part of the Eravikulam National Park in Idukki district, the tallest peak in South India, Anamudi. It is where you can spot the rear Nilgiri Thar which is conserved here. |
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| Marayoor : |
| Marayoor is one of the famous tourist spots in the Idukki District of Kerala state, South India. It is the land where nature, history and culture merge harmoniously into tourism. 42 kilometers north of Munnar through the Udumalppetta route, Marayoor is the only place in Kerala that has natural sandal wood forests. Ancient dolmens and rock paintings in Marayoor tell the story of a muted history dating back to the Stone Age. |
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Legend has it the great Pandavas of Mahabharata epic, had stayed in the area during their exile. The climate in Marayoor is characterized by mild wet winters and hot dry summers.
Marayoor is famous for Megalithic Dolmens – The stoned stucture belongs to the Megalithic Age. These dolmenoids were burial chambers made of four stones placed on edges and covered by a fifth one called the cap stone, Rock Paintings, Sandalwood Forests. |
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| Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary : |
| Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located 18 km north of Marayoor in the Idukki District of Kerala state in South India. It is under the jurisdiction of and contiguous with Eravikulam National Park to the south. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is to the northwest and Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is to the east. It is one of twelve Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, is under |
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| consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site. |
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| Rajiv Gandhi Children’s Park : |
| Rajiv Gandhi children’s park is located in the heart of Marayoor. The serene park spread across a hectare of land under the vast canopy of a single banyan tree attracts tourists and Marayoor population alike. From the park one can spot monkeys, deer and other animals in the adjoining reserve forest. |
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| Thoovanam Waterfalls : |
| Deep with in the Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary lies the spectacular Thoovanam water falls. The river Pambar flows eastwards through the sanctuary and forms the waterfalls. The enormous waterfall on the Chinnar River, with its breathtaking silvery cascade is a major tourist attraction. As a part of wildlife tourism, the Wildlife Department allows tourists to visit the falls. |
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| Guided trekking from Karimutti Forest Station can be arranged to Thoovanam waterfalls. Trekking through the pristine scrub forest offers advantage of watching wild animals and rare flora from the path when venture deep into the forest. Many endemic and rare species enrich this dry and deciduous forest. |
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| Pothamedu : |
| Pothamedu is located 6 km from Munnar and offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks. |
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| Pallivasal : |
| Pallivasal is 8 km from Munnar is the venue of the first Hydro Electric Project in Kerala and a place of immense scenic beauty. Attukal is 9 km from Munnar is a panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long treks. |
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| Nyayamakad : |
| Nyayamakad is 10 km from Munnar is located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 metres. The enchanting surroundings makes an excellent picnic spot and trekking point. |
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| Chithirapuram : |
| Chithirapuram is 10 km from Munnar is known for sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts.Chithirapuram still exudes an old world charm. Home of the Pallyvasal Hydel Power Project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations. |
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| Top Station : |
| Top Station is 40 Km away from Munnar. From here you can get a spectacular view of the plains of Tamilnadu. Kundalai Dam is on the Munnar-Top Station road. Echo Point,15 km from Munnar, this scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar. |
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| Tribal community in Marayoor : |
| The two major tribal groups in Marayoor are Muthuvans and Hill Pulayas. The tribal population in Marayoor still preserves their unique customs and traditions. Their reluctance and refusal to social development has changed very little and they are being motivated continuously for a better life. The language that they speak had very little connection with Malayalam and was a derivation of Tamil having a peculiar accent. |
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| The tribal populations in Marayoor are aborigines and they prefer a secluded life fostering their own traditions and customs. They tend to be highly superstitious, believing in animism and totem worship. They prefer their own medicinal system; the tribal medicines are mostly plants and herbs. Both tribes strictly practice endogamy. |
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